Officials Disclose First Details on Louisiana Shooter, a 'Drifter' from Alabama

At 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night, a gunman opened fire in a movie theater in Lafayette, Louisiana. Two audience members were killed, with nine others injured. After a full night of investigating, county officials presented what they knew at a press conference on Friday morning.

Lafayette Police Chief Jim Craft had few details on motive, but was able to report that the shooter was one John Russel Houser. Craft described the 59-year-old gunman as "kind of a drifter." Houser previously resided in Alabama before relocating in July. In the lead up to the shooting, Houser was residing at a motel in Lafayette. Craft and his team acquired a warrant to search the room, where they found wigs, glasses, and other types of disguises. Finding his 1995 blue Lincoln Continental parked in the vicinity, it is believed that Houser would have attempted to flee the scene if authorities did not arrive to the theater in a matter of minutes. Houser took his own life before police apprehended him.

Police took a number of precautions in the wake of the incident to minimize any possible follow-up action and quell rumors that were already circulating. Craft said that no additional devices were found in either Houser's car or motel room. A .40 caliber handgun was the only weapon involved with the attack. No additional threats were made to surrounding movie theaters. Houser is believed to have conducted his act of violence alone.

Craft also identified the two victims. Macy Pearl, 21, died at the scene. Jillian Johnson, 33, died later, after being rushed to the hospital. One of the nine injured individuals remains in critical condition.

Esquire.com will update this story as additional information comes to light.